Jeff and Mary Smitherman

By law brokers are not allowed to get together and set a certain rate that everyone must charge, so you can shop around and find a range of commission rates in The Woodlands or anywhere else. Be sure to keep in mind that you get what you pay for when comparing a discount brokerage with a full service one. At the price you are quoting your agent should provide full color flyers, professional quality photos, a virtual tour, a home book, an automated SUPRA keybox, a showing service, multiple website placements, custom signage, and have experience in the marketplace to guide you in terms of pricing and negotiations. While 6% seems like a lot, these dollars get split in half (3% goes to your buyer's agent); then split again between the broker and your Realtor, who also will pay for insurance, MLS costs, advertising, office fees, assistants, etc.,etc.,etc.

I would strongly encourage you to interview several Woodlands Realtors in regards to sevices and as well as commission rates, because having a great Realtor is the best way to be successful in your home sale. - Thu Jul 17 2008, 13:56

Many of my clients request to stay in Klein ISD, this school district has a great reputation and its popularity helps with resale. If your client prefers new construction, there is a lot of inventory in this area, particularly along Kuykendahl, which also has convenient access to Woodlands amenitiies. - Tue May 20 2008, 09:02

HAR has a new capability that allows you to pull statistics based on subdivision information, specifically in The Woodlands by Village. Homes classified under Indian Springs that have closed this year have an average of 56 days on market. This figure does not include the extra days if a home has listed previously under a different MLS number. About 1 in 5 listings that have closed this year have relisted, which sets their days on market back to zero.

There are 46 homes currently active on the market with an average of (also) 56 days on market, and there are 32 homes in Option Pending, Pending, or Pending Continue to Show status. 14 of the homes that are in sale pending status went under contract in less than a month.

Keep in mind that Indian Springs ranges from the $100s to over $1 Million, I would recommend a specific home market evaluation to get a better idea of how things are moving with homes that are of particular interest to you! - Mon May 19 2008, 12:58

I have worked with SIRVA in the past at the request of a client who was not happy with the agent SIRVA originally assigned him to work with. His complaint was that the assigned agent was from the greater Houston area and not specialized in the area he was interested in, which was to the north and an hour's drive for his assigned agent. He notified SIRVA that I was his preference and the approval process was fairly easy for me to be able to work with him, as long as I agreed to pay a relocation fee to the company out of my commissions. - Fri Apr 4 2008, 14:43

I have had may clients that enjoy and specifically request to remain inside Klein ISD should they choose to move. Both Gleannloch and Windrose are nice areas to live. If you are looking for something a little different and don't mind too much of a drive time difference, I would consider looking in the Magnolia area and the Tomball area. Magnolia (or the 1488 Corridor) is located on the west border of the Woodlands and offers more house for your money as well as more acreage and half acre properties to choose from. This area is going through some growing pains with the expansion of 1488, so you would have to expect some congestion in the short term - but in the end I think the lifestyle you gain may be worth it. Tomball would put you close to Highway 249, which would lead to Beltway 8 and over to I-45. This is a smaller school district that I have also heard good things about. - Mon Mar 10 2008, 13:16